Game of skill



1935. H. w. SElDEN El" AL 2,010,966

GAME OF SKILL Filed March 7, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l Z J7 25 P24.

Aug, 13, 1935. I H- w $EEDEN ET AL 2,010,966

GAME OF SKILL F ild March 7, 1934- s Sheets-Sheet 2 g w 1935 H. w. sEmENET AL GAME OF SKILL Filed March 7, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 fizueniors'Patented Aug. 13, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME OF sK'ILLApplication March 7, 1934, Serial No. 714,460

' 23 Claims. (01.273-121) The invention relates to a game for theamusement of the player and also to develop skill and proficiency in theplaying thereof,

More particularly the game is of the so-called pin and marble type inwhich marbles or balls are projected over a playing board provided withholes through which the balls are trapped. To encourage practice and thedevelopment of skill in the playing of such game it is desirable to spurthe player on by ofiering some inducement to continued play, especiallyso, as the games of this type are coin or token operated and the playermust pay for the privilege of using the game. It is desirable that suchinducement be practical and take the form of a reward, which preferablyis in the form of a coin or token paymentto be made automatically by thegame mechanism, such payment or reward being for the purpose of enablingthe player, if he is skilful enough to win such reward, to continue playby using his gain, in the coin slide to release the play mechanism ofthe game for such further play. It is also desirable to make the rewardpayment commensurate with the varying degrees of skill displayed; thus,greater skill to receive a greater reward, and lesser skill to receive aproportionately smaller reward.

Accordingly, the main object of the invention is to provide mechanismassociated with a game of this type which will operate to dispense atoken or suitable reward in accordance with the skill displayed inplaying the game,

Another object is 'to provide such dispensing mechanism which will beelectrically controlled but mechanically operated, so that it will besimple, efficient, and absolutely fool proof in operation,

Still another object is to provide such mechanism which will proportionthe reward to the skill displayed in playing the game, that is thegreater the skill, the more liberal the reward.

A further object is to provide such dispensing mechanism for a coinreleased game mechanism.

Other objects of the invention will, of course, become apparent to thoseversed in this art as the disclosure is more completely made.

Briefly, the improved game of skill comprises a box containing a playingfield board having formed therein a series of holes, each designatedtrapped, are caused to close electric circuits to initiate operation ofan electric motor which operates mechanism to dispense a reward which inthe form of the invention herein disclosed preferably is one or moretokens, trade checks or coins. The mechanism is so arranged that apredetermined number of traps or holes must have received a ball beforethe dispensing mechanism can become operative. A commutator drum isincluded in the electrical part of the mechanism, said drum serving toregulate or govern the amount of the reward to be dispensed inaccordance with the skill displayed by the player. The drum and contactmechanism after play has been completed is preferably reset by' a coin.released mechanism, that also serves to reset the game parts to permitreplay.

So much will suffice for the present to give a general idea of thestructure constituting the invention, a practicable form thereof beingillustrated in the accompanying sheets of drawings,

wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the rear end of the game with the glass toppanel and playing field board removed to show the mechanism therebelow;

Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 1 asseen along the line 2-2 in that figure, looking in the. direction of thearrows;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the electrically controlled, mechanicallyoperating dispensing mechanism, the coin slide being shown associatedtherewith in dotted lines;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the pay out mechanism, showingthe same from the opposite side shown in Figure 2, the parts being inposition ready to operate, and the side panel of the box removed;

Figure 5 is a detail side view of the pawl and ratchet wheel parts ofthe reward dispenser, as

seen along section line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a portion of the structure shownin Figure 4 with the dispenser in operative position;

Figure '7 is a general plan view, on a reduced scale, of the game board;

Figure 8 is an electrical diagram; and,

Figure 9 is a side sectional view through one of the trap doors for thetarget holes as seen along the line 99, appearing in Figure '7, lookingin the direction of the arrows.

Looking at Figure 7 the game comprises a generally rectangular box l0having an open top closed by a glass panel II, as shown in Figure 2.

The play field of the game is a board |2 sloped from the front to therear end, said board being suitably fastened in the box l near its topand provided with a series of targets, or ball traps, in

. the form of holes l3 passed through the board.

As seen in Figure 9 each hole l3 has associated therewith a pivoted trapdoor M in the form of a circular pad with which is integrally formed anangularly disposed trip arm l5. A fiat spring i6 is secured adjacenteach hole l3 to engage the trap door trip l releasably to hold the doorM in hole closing position after a ball has passed therethrough. It willbe understood that when play is initiated the doors I 4 stand upright touncover the holes l3, the trips |5 lying horizontally under the hole, sothat when a ball is projected to the hole and it drops thereinto, thetrip arm I5 is caused to swing downwardly and pull the door l4 to ahorizontal position closing the hole. Thus, it will be understood in asingle game or cycle of play, the balls can only pass through a holeonce. There are ten such holes and only ten ball projectiles, the latterpreferably being steel balls of ample weight to insure certainty ofoperation and play. Consequently if all ten balls in a game are playedand all reach an objective then all holes will be closed; The board I2is to be provided with the usual pin obstacles to encourage greaterskill in play, such obstacles not having been shown as they form, nopart of the present invention.

A ball projector I1 is arranged-in the usual place at the right handedge of the game board, said projector comprising a spring pressedplunger, which may be operated by the hand grip l8. When a ball isimpelled by this projector it travels around an oval passageway .l 9 andfinally emerges from a passage 20 onto the board l2 and then rolls downthe. inclined surface thereof to the holes I3. An opening 2| at thelower end of the play field of the board traps spent balls missing thetargets |3, said balls dropping through to a ball storage tray later tobe described. Also a free play, or repeat play hole 22 is provided atthe extreme lower end of the board |2, said hole leading a ball thatmight fall therethrough, to a trough 23 (see Figure 1) which is inclinedtoward the right side of the box to direct the ball to a chute 24 whichalso is inclined and directs the ball into the path of movement of aball lifter 25. This ball lifter 25 is of any approved form and pivotsabout a shaft 26 mounted on the right hand wall of the box Ill. Thelifter is operated by a plunger 21 in any conventional manner wellunderstood in this art, thus causing the ball to be raised to the lowerend of the passageway N, where it is in position to be projected by theball projector |1 heretofore described.

To the rear of the transverse slot 2| the board 2 is formed with arelatively large transverse opening 28 as shown in Figure 2, saidopening being closed by a register plate panel 23 having a transversesight opening 30 under which is arranged a series of ten transverselyalined segmentally shaped registering elements 3|. The ends 32 of thepanel 23 are downwardly extended to carry a, transverse shaft 33 onwhich the legs 34 of each segment 3| are pivoted intermediate theirends. Each register segment 3| has its top surface provided with anumber, representing scoring values; for instance, looking at Figure '1reading from the left wall to the right wall of the machine, the tensegmental registers would be successively numbered as follows: 1000,900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, and 100. Further, on

- bodily end-wise sliding movement in the side walls of the box I0, thepanel being normally pushed by a spring, not shown, toward the lowerend'of the box l0, as shown in Figure 2. Generally,

these spring pushed sliding under panels are old inthe art and for thatreason no further illustration of the structure is required; in anyevent, the same not being pertinent to the present invention.

This panel 31 is formed with a series of ten alleys 38 which lookingfrom the left hand side to the right hand side of the box I0 (as viewedwhen the player stands in playing position) correspond respectively tothe ten holes l3 thereabove and lead also respectively to the tenregister segments 3| given the values, in the order mentioned from 1000to 100. Thus, there is an alley 38 for each hole l3 and for eachregister segment 3|. Undemeath each hole |3 the panel 31 carries aU-shaped wall 39 embracing the terminal end of each alley 38, thepurpose of the walls 39 being to guide the balls with certainty into thealleys 38.

Each wall 39 also includes an inclined plane element 40 for impartinginitial momentum to the trapped balls.

At its rear left hand corner the shifter alley plate 31 carries a cornerplate 4| on which is mounted a post 42 (see Figures 1 and 2). Theadjacent-wall of the box I0 carries a guide 43, while the plate 4|carries a spring pulled pivoted lever 44. The purpose of this mechanismwill later appear. The opposite corner of the plate 31 has fastened toit a rearwardly extending arm 45 that can slide through the sides of thetrough 24 as shown in Figure 1 when the panel 31 is shifted.

At the lower edge of the panel 31 is a cross bar 46 formed with atransversely alined series of ten pockets 41, each of which is chuteshaped and respectively lined up with an alley 38 to form a continuationthereof. The crossbar also includes a rearwardly extended, transverselydisposed wall or ioop portion 48 which is open at its bottom and asshown in Figure 2 normally rests on a sloping bracket 49 with which thereturn chute 23, heretofore described, is formed. The lower or frontedge of the sloping bracket 49 terminates in a transversely disposedball chute 50. As the bracket 49 is secured appropriately to the wallsof the box l0, the chute 50 is, of course, stationary, and is locateddirectly under the normal position of the pocketed cross bar 4.6.Further the chute 50 is inclined to deliver balls toward the lifter 25;It can now be seen that the played. balls are delivered by the alleys 38to the chute leased or operated, and for that purpose the left hand sideof the box ID has mounted therein a coin slide (see Figures 1, 3 and 4)which slides in a guide part 52, the rear, or inner end of the slidecarrying an extension 53 having a hooked end as seen in Figure 1. Whenthe slide 5| is pushed in, the extension 53 abuts the post 42 to shiftthe panel 31 to the rear, or right, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The slide 5| is of that type having the usual safeguards against use ofspurious coins or tokens, so that the slide must be moved in its maximumdistance before the panel 31 can be properly moved. In the event amagnetic, spurious coin or token is attempted to be used then a magnetcarried by the guide 52 picks up the coin, so that stops becomeoperative to permit only part way movement of the slide. Under suchcondition the hooked end of the extension 53 locks with the latch 44 tohold the panel 31 stable and against further movement. Under suchcircumstances the balls cannot be freed from the pockets 4! for play,and the slide 5| must be moved back to normal or starting position forexpelling the spurious coin from the slide. When the slide moves back itautomatically frees from the latch 44.

This structure forms no part of our invention and need not further bedescribed.

The main object of the invention, it will be recalled, was to make theplaying of the game extremely interesting; to encourage repeated playingthereof with the resultant practice developing more skill andproficiency; and, to that end, as an inducement, mechanism is providedthat will actually reward the player in direct proportion to the skillshown by him in play. This mechanism is in the form of a dispenser, orpay out means, controlled in operation by the played balls, and operablein accordance with the numerical value of the target holeinto which aball is projected. For instance, in the example of the mechanism hereinchosen for purposes of illustration, before any reward is paid, a. ballmust have been trapped first by the holes having the values of 1000,900, 800, 700 and 600. The balls played into these holes may be trappedin any random order, that is, they do not have to be played or trappedin sequence. After the segmental registers 3| for the five holesmentioned have been turned up by the played balls, then the last ofthese five balls is trapped by the 600 value hole L3 to cause a contactto be automatically closed to operate an electric motor and mechanismthat will pay out or dispense two tokens or coins; thereafter, if the500 hole traps a ball, two more-coins will be paid out; if the 400 holeis hit, two additional coins are released by the said mechanism; the 300hole 13 causes release of four additional coins; the 200 hole pays outsix additional coins or tokens; and lastly, as a reward for the maximumdisplay of skill, that is a ball in each of the ten holes, which tenthhole would be the one valued at 100, then fourteen additional token orcoin rewards will be released by the dispensing mechanism. This rewardpaying mechanism will now be described.

strips 55 is separate as shown. The first six connected spring strips 55are for the balls trapped in the holes i3 of'the values 1000, 900, 800,700, 600,

complementary or corresponding register segment 3|. An insulator pad 53backs each leg 32 to insulate the spring strips from the-segments.

The panel 29 further carries under the transverse bar 55 anothertransverse member 59 on which is mounted a series of six spaced springpressed metal plungers 6|, each plunger being lined up with an electrode51 but normally gapped apart therefrom. At its other end is anotherplunger contact 62. Y

Beneath the plunger carrying member 59 the bracket 49 carries atransverse contact bar 63 having a spaced series of six contacts 64 onefor each of the six plunger contacts 5| At the other end of the member63 is a single contact 65 for the plunger 62. The plungers are springpressed always to contact its complementary contacts 64, *65, as shown.

Wires 56, 61, 68, 89, i0, and H lead from the bank of six contacts 64,and a wire '12 leads from the lone contact 65 as shown in Figure 8.These wires 66-'I| inclusive lead to brushes 66 61 68, 59 w and Hcarried on a plate 13 mounted on a support 74 fastened to a floor 15 ofthe box ID. The wire 72 connects with an electric motor 16 suitablysupported on the floor 15. Another brush Tl connects by a wire 18 toabattery 19 of dry cells located in the box 10 in any convenient place. Awire 79' leads from the other end of the battery to the motor 76. a

A commutator drum 80 is journaled on a shaft 8|, a clock spring 82 (seeFigure 2) being connected between the stationary shaft and drum tostore' energy as the drum turns. This commutator drum is made of brass,or other conductor, and has an insulated covering 83 leaving an exposededge 84, which is always contacted by the brush TI and as a result thedrum 80 is always in circuit with the battery 19. Further the insulatedcover 83 is formed with a spirally, staggered series of cut cuts 85which as appears in Figure 8 of increasing length from left to right sothat the brushes 66 will hold the motor energized and 1 in operation forvarying intervals.

The bar 54 in Figure 8 appears schematic and perspectively, the contactstrips 55 having a flat portion secured to the bar and the main portionsthereof extending angularly away, as shown in Figure 2 also. The firstcontact strip and its contact 5'! when ball actuated; contacts a wire Ain connection withthe plunger 62 to establish a first portion of themotor circuit 12. Reading from left to right in Figure 8, the secondstrip 55 when ball closed, connects a wire A to the circuit 12; and soin turn the third strip 55 connects a wire A to the circuit; the fourthstrip 55'connects wire A to the motor circuit which now has beengradually added to, or built up, until the wire A also is in circuitwith the wire H through the first clip 54 to completely establish thecircuit from the battery to the motor and commutator.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the motor 16 has a shaft carrying a wormgear 86 meshing a worm wheel 81, the latter turning a shaft 88 on whichis a wheel 89 provided with an eccentric pin 90. The pin 90 operates inthe slot 9| formed in a vertical wall 92 which is an integral portion ofa horizontally disposed slide member 93. This slide is reciprocableunder the lower end of a vertical token or coin magazine tube 94suitably mounted in the box in, as shown, the tubebeing in this instancelong enough to carry thirty tokens, or checks, or coins, the slide 93being, in the present form, of a thickness to enableit to push out twocoins or tokens at a single stroke.

Offset from the tube 9% is a short pay out, or dispensing tube 95 thatextends below the slide 93 to 'drop the tokens 'to a payout box 99 at alower side corner of the box l9, where the player can retrieve thedispensed reward. The wall part of the .slide 93 carries a springpressed dog 9? having a heel 98 and rounded nose 99. Further the wall 92has an extension carrying a pawl I90, which is pivoted and springpressed, the same having a curved lower edge ridable on the round,- ednose 99 of the dog 9i. 'As the wall 92-mciprocates to the left as seenin Figure 4,- the pawl I99 engages'and moves a ratchet wheel lei asingle step, the wheel illl being fast on the shaft that turns thecommutator drum 89 to cause the drum to turn a like amount. As thespring 82 tends to unwind the drum, or turn it back,

the dog 91 serves as a holding dog to lock the Looking to Figures 1, 3,and 4 it can be seen that the coin slide 5! has a notch Hid associatedwith a lever 505 having a toe I96 which engages the heel 98 as shown inFigure 5 when the slide 5i is properly coin operated and moved in, suchmovement of the" slide pivoting thelever to the rear, or left as viewedin Figure '4. In this fashion the dog 91 is freed mm the ratchet wheelII, and the nose 99 of the dog in turn lifts the pawl Hi9 out ofengagement with the ratchet wheel WI. The latter wheel now beingcompletely freed is caused to be driven reversely by the spring 82 toreturn the commutator drum 89 to its starting position. When the coinslide returns to normal position after having released the game forplay, then these parts assume the position shown in Figure 6 where thedog 9'5 is spring pressed to engage the ratchet wheel, and its nose 99holds the pawl H10 in proper position to engage the ratchet wheel.

The coin slide 5| is of that type having its guide 52 carry a turn tableHi6 provided with four coin pockets I01 (see Figures 1, 3, and 4). Theperiphery of the table M6 is notched in. four places I08 and a dog 19 ispivotally connected to' the slide 5|. Thus when a flrsteoin is handledit is received by a pocket Nil and as the slide is retracted to normalposition the-dog or pawl I99 turns the table I96 one quarter tumcounterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 1. The sec-* and coin handled bythe slide then drops intothe next pocket I91 in line with the slide andas the slide is thereafter retracted, the pawl I09 there for the timebeing. When a third, or succeeding operation of the slide is then made amember Ill) moves with the slide 5| to sweep the surplus coin off thetop of the magazine and into any suitablestorage container, not shown,and

' 7g is thought, will suffice, particularly so, in that this mechanismis not part of the present invention. f I

In'playing and operating the improved mecha nism the slide 5| must firstreceive an authentic token or coin, this permitting the slide M to bepushed inwardly its full stroke. This causes the extension. 59 to pushon the post 42 toslide the panel 37 ahead; said panel, in a manner notherein shown, having means to engage the trips i5 to open the trap'doorsE4 to expose the holes id for play. Simultaneously, the movement of thepanel 31 causes the pockets 4'! to release the'balls accumulatedthereon, which balls then. gravitate into the trough 59 down which theyroll to the lifter 25, said balls, however, being prevented for themoment from getting into the path of the lifter by the stop d9 whichmoves ahead with the panel 3?. The forward movement of the panel 3?carries the loop 58 ahead which sets the ten register segments innon-indicating position in the opening 89 and separates the-electrodes51 from the plunger-s @l and wires 'A to A inclusive. At the same timethe slidej5l moves the lever W5 to set the ratchet. wheel it! free asseen in Figure 5, whereupon the spring 82 winds the commutator drum @9back to starting position. starting position as shown in Figure 8 thefirst brush ll reading from left to right, is in electrical contact withthe drum through its gap or way, so that as the slide 5i retracts-thepanel 3? simultaneously is-also pushed back to assume the position shownin Figure 2. a The game is now set for play, because, as the panel 3?,moved back, the balls in the trough chute 59 were freed from the holdback action of the member 95, to be successively lifted by the lifter25.

The balls are thensuccessively projected by the shooter l8, which hasassociated with it a graduated gauge not shown, to enablethe playentogauge every shot with the utmost skill and ac curacy. We will assumethat the first'five balls, in any random order, have been played throughthe five holes having the numerical values of 1000,

900, 800, 700,. and 600, each ball having rolled throughits hole l3,closed its door l9, rolled down its alley 39 and engaged the leg 32 ofits segment 3|, thus moving the segmentv register into view under theopening 39 to show the numbers 1000, 990, 800, etc., as above listed.Inany random order we will assume five balls have been played to buildup the circuit from the plunger s2 and its lead l2, through thesuccessive wires A-A inclusive to the clip M for the circuit 1i. Thismeans that the 1000, 900, 800, 700, and 600 holes ments 3! have beenballactuated. No circuit is complete until all five of these holes areplayed. With the 609 hole circuit completed the wire E2 is in circuitwith the motor 16 and through the lead 19' tothe battery l9. Also thelead H connects In such l3 have. been played and their respective segincircuit with the drum through brush ll,

the drum 8!! always being in circuit with the bat tery I9 through thebrush 1-I 'and wire I8. The circuit thus described is'closed'orcompleted now,

causingthe motor to operate. .T sdrives the" gearing 86, 81; the wheel89 andpin 90; to slide the wall 92 and slide 93'from the position ofFigure 4 to that shown in Figure 6. The slide therefor passes under thetube 94 to push out two tokens or coins. The reward so paid out dropsthrough the tube 95 to the pay out box 94 from whence the player takeshis reward. The motor drive parts return the slide 93 to the positionshown in Figure 4, the spring I02 assisting such movement. As the slidereturns the ratchet wheel I 0! is driven one step by the pawl I00 whichturns the drum to remove brush II onto the insulated cover 83 and lodgethe brush 10" on its cut out portion 85. This breaks the completecircuit II, which had been established and the motor thus stops. Nothingfurther can happen now until the next ball played establishes a newcircuit I0.

Now, when the 500 segment is next ball operated to close itscorresponding contacts 51, 5| the circuit I0 is closed and energized. Asthe brush I1 is always electrically in contact with the conductor partof the drum 80 and the brush 'IIJ is contacting its short cut out 85 inthe insulated cover 83, the motor is again caused to operate. This oncemore turns the gearing 86, 81, the wheel 89, and causes the pin 90 tomove the wall 92 and the slide 93 from the position shown in Figure 4 tothe position shown in Figure 6. As a consequence the slide 93 againpasses across the bottom end of the magazine 94 to push out two tokensor coins, or similar reward, such as a trade check, said tokens or thelike being moved to the pay out tube 95 down which'they fall to the box96 from whence the player takes his additional reward. As the spring I02and motor drive return the parts to the position of Figure 4 the pawlI00 moves the ratchet wheel IIlI one step, thus turning the drum 80,causing the brush IIJ to pass off its cut out and into engagement withthe insulated cover 83. This opens the circuit I0 and stops the motorIS, the parts now coming to rest with the brush 'I'Il contacting andresting on its cut out 85 in the cover 83.

Next, let us assume that the succeeding ball played passes through thehole I3 marked 400. The 400 register segment moves to display andcontact position closing circuit 89. As the cut out 85 for the brush 69is of the same length as the cut out for the brushes Ill and II- the.motor is operated for the same length of time heretofore described,thereby causing the mechanism to work as before, to dispense twoadditional coins, tokens,

' or trade checks.

When the succeeding ball moves the segment for the 300 hole, the circuit58 is closed and as its brush 68 is resting on its out out 85 just twiceas long 'asthe cut outs 85 for the brushes heretofore mentioned, themotor continues to operate for a duration suflicient to permit two fullstrokes of the slide 93, each stroke paying two coins, for a total offour additional coins.

When the 200 hole I3 and segment 3I come into play, the circuit 51 isenergized and as the brush 61 is lodged on a cut out 85 three times aslong as the cut out 85 for the brush H the motor 16 is caused to runlong enough to cause three full strokes of the slide, each strokedispensing two coins, or for a total of six additional rewards.

The tenthball, if extreme skill is displayed closes the contact, andcircuit 66 for the brush 56 and a relatively long cut out 85 in the druminsulator 83, thus causing the motor I6 to operate for a durationpermitting seven strokes of the slide 93, each stroke dispensing twocoins for a grand total of fourteen additional rewards.

The play of ten balls ends the game and the parts thereof cannot againbe played until the slide 5| receives another coin to reset themechanism for another play as described at the beginning.

The interesting thing about the novel control above described is thatthe balls may be trapped by the holes in any haphazard or random order;the pay out circuits being established whenever the holes I3 for thevalues of 1000, 900, 800, 700 and 600 have been played. Of course, thearrangement herein described is purely optional and it could assumeother desired combinations and forms.

Further the coin slide 5I with its turn table I05 keeps the magazine 94supplied with tokens or other rewards, to insure proper functioning inthe event of many successive plays and pay cuts.

The improved coin dispenser has herein been particularly associated witha game of skill, although it quite obviously has many other uses, suchfor example as a coin handling apparatus for sundry purposes.

From this disclosure it will now be clear that a reward paying devicefor games, and the like, has been provided which achievesall of thedesirable objects heretofore recited.

V It is the intention to cover all such changes and modifications of thegame combination, or pay off device, per se, which do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Control means for a check dispensing mechanism comprising an uprightmagazine containing the checks, a reciprocatory slide associated withthe lower end of the magazine for ejecting the checks from the magazine,said control means including a motor having connections for operatingthe slide, a plurality of contacts adapted to be individually closed foroperating the motor, andpmeans in circuit with the contacts for causingthe slide to operate one or more times depending upon which of thecontacts has been closed.

2. Control means for a check dispensing mechanism comprising an uprightmagazine containing the checks, a slide associated with the lower end ofthe magazine for ejecting the checks from the magazine, said controlmeans including a motorhaving connections for operating the slide, aplurality of contacts including circuits adapted to be individuallyclosed for operating the motor, and a commutator drum driven from themotor and having segments of varying lengths and equal in number to thenumber of contacts, the segments having brushes associated therewith andconnected to the contacts and said circuits whereby said commutatormechanism controls the motor and slide and causes the slide to operateone or more times depending upon which of the contacts has been closedand the length of the segment associated therewith.

3. Control mechanism for a check dispensing mechanism adapted for usewith ball projecting games and the like, said control mechanismcomprising contacts adapted to be closed by balls, a check magazinehaving associated therewith a member to eject checks therefrom, saidcontrol means comprising means to operate said member including a motor,and commutator means in circuit with the contacts for causing theejector member to operate one or a number of times.

4. Control mechanism for a check dispensing mechanism adapted for usewith ball projecting games and the like, said control mechanismcomprising electrical contacts adapted to be closed ,by balls, a checkmagazine having associated therewith a reciprocatory member for ejectingchecks from the magazine, the'control mechanism including a motorconnected to operate said reciprocatory member, and a timer in circuitwith the contacts for governing the time of operation of said motorwhereby the reciprocating member may be caused to operate one or moretimes.

5. Control mechanism for a .check dispensing mechanism adapted for usewith ball projectin games and the like, said control mechanismcomprising electrical contacts and circuits adapted to be closedbyballs, a check magazine having associated therewith a reciprocatorymember for ejecting .checks from the magazine, the control mechanismincluding a motor connectedto' operate said reciprocatory member, arotary timer for governing the period of operation of said motor wherebythe member may operate one or more times, and means operable with thereciprocatory member to operate-the timer.

6. Control mechanism for a check dispensing mechanism comprising anupright magazine with a an ejector at the bottom end thereof to ejectchecks from the magazine, said controlmechanism comprising a motor,connections between the motor and ejector to operate the latter, andtiming mechanism driven by the motor to regulate the number of ejectoroperationsperformed by the ejector.

7. Control mechanism for a check=dispensing mechanism comprising anupright magazine with an ejector at the bottom end thereof and movablerelative to the magazine to eject checks therefrom, said controlmechanism comprising a motor, driving connections from the motor to movethe ejector, a timer to regulate the number of operations to be made bythe ejector,and means carried by and movable with the ejector to operatethe timer. 7

8. Control mechanism for a check dispenser having a magazine, a checkejector, and electric motor for operating the ejector, said controlmechanism including the motor and a source of electric energy, a bank ofcontacts one of which is always in circuit with the motor, a. movablecommutator having a number of contacts, said commutator also being incircuit with the-source .of energy, certain of the contacts in theaforementioned bank having circuits respectively leading therefrom, eachsaid last mentioned circuits being connected to a brush, said brushesbeing respectively associated with the commutator contacts and adaptedindividually to contact the same, means for electrically connecting apredetermined number of the aforementioned bank of contacts withoutenergizing the motor, and means ,for closing the remaining contacts ofsaid bank and their circuits individually tox cause operation of themotor, said commutator being driven by the motor and its contactsserving to make and break the said individual circuits to controloperation of the ejector.

9. Control mechanism for a check dispenser having a magazine, a checkejector, and electric motor for operating the ejector, said controlmechanism including the motor and a source of electric energy, a bank ofcontacts one of which is always in circuit with the motor, a movablecommutator having a number of contacts, said commutator also being incircuit with the source of energy, certain of the contacts in theaforementioned bank havingv circuits respectively leading therefrom,each said last mentioned circuits being connected to a brush, saidbrushes being respectively associated with the commutator contacts andadapted individually to contact the 10. In a pin ball game having atable provided with traps to receive projected balls; control mechanismfor a check dispenser having a magazine with a movable check ejector andelectrical means for operating the ejector; said control mechanismincluding the electrical means and a source of electrical energy, a bankof contacts oneof whichis in circuit with the electrical means, amovable commutator having a number of contacts, said commutator alsobeing in circuit with the source of energy, certain of the contacts inthe aforementioned bank having circuits respectively leading therefrom,each said last mentioned circuits being connected to a brush, saidbrushes being respectively associated with the commutator contacts andadapted individually to contact the same, means operable by the trappingof the balls for electrically connecting a predetermined number of thecontacts in said bank without energizing the electrical means, otherballs being trapped serving to close the remaining I contacts of saidbank and their circuits individually to cause operation of theelectrical means, said commutator being driven by the electrical meansand its contacts serving to make and break the said individual circuitsto control operation of the ejector. i

11. In a pin ball game having a table provided with traps to receiveprojected balls; control mechanism for a check dispenser having amagazine with a movable check ejector and an electric motor foroperating the ejector; said control mechanism including the motor and asource of energy, a series of normally open contacts, a movablecommutator having a number of contacts, said commutator being in circuitwith the source of energy, the series of contacts having circuitsleading respectively therefrom and adapted for connection with thecommutator contacts, means operable by trapped balls to close saidindividual contacts and their circuits to energize the motor and drivethe commutator, said motor driving the ejector to dispense checks fromthe magazine, and said commutator contacts serving to make and break theindividual circuits. 1

12. In a pin ball game having a table provided .with traps to receiveprojected balls; control mechanism for a check dispenser having a maga-'tacts, means-operable by trapped balls to close said individual contactsand their circuits to energize the motor and move the commutator, saidmotor driving the ejector to dispense checks from the magazine, saidcommutator contacts being of different lengths whereby certain of .theindividual circuits remain closed longer than others,

.and said commutator contacts serving to make and break the individualcircuits.

13. Control mechanism for a check dispenser having a magazine and amovable check ejector associated with the magazine and also an electricmotor connected to drive the ejector; said mechanism adapted to beassociated with a pin ball game having traps for receiving played balls;said control mechanism including the motor and a source of electricenergy, a bank of contacts one of which is always in circuit with themotor, a rotary commutator having a number of contacts, said commutatoralso being in circuit with the source of energy, certain of the contactsin the bank having circuits respectively leading therefrom, each of saidlast mentioned circuits being connected with a brush, said brushes beingrespectively associcated with the commutator contacts, means operable bythe trapping of the balls for electrically connecting a predeterminednumber of the contacts in the bank without energizing the motor, andmeans operable by the trapping of other played balls for closing there-- maining contacts of said bank and their circuits individually tocause operation of the motor, said commutator being rotated by the motorand its contacts serving to make and break the said individual circuitsto control operation of the ejector.

14. Control mechanism for a check dispenser having a magazine and amovable check tejector associated with the magazine and also an electricmotor connected to drive the ejector; said mechanism adapted to beassociated with a pin ball game having traps for receiving played balls;said control mechanism including the motor and a source of electricenergy, a bank of normally open contacts, a rotary commutator having anumber of contacts, the bank contacts having circuits leading therefromfor respective connection with the commutator contacts, the trapped"balls serving individually to close the open bank contacts and thecircuits therefor to energize the motor and cause operation of theejector and commutator, said commutator contacts serving to make andbreak the said circuits to control operation of the ejector.

15. Control mechanism for a check dispenser having a magazine and amovable check ejector associated with the magazine and also an electricmotor connected to drive the ejector; said mechanism adapted to beassociated with a pin ball game having traps for receiving played balls;said control mechanism including the motor and a source of electricenergy, a bank of normally open contacts, a rotary commutator having anumber of contacts of varying size, the bank contacts having circuitsleading therefrom for respective connection with the commutatorcontacts, the

trapped balls serving individually to close the.

open bank contacts and the circuits therefor to energize the motor andcause operation of the ejector and commutator, said commutator contactsserving to make and break the said circuits to control the number ofoperations of the ejector.

16. Control mechanism for a check dispenser having a magazine and amovable check ejector associated with the magazine and also an electricmotor connected to drive the ejector; said mecha-- nism adapted to beassociated with a pin ball game having traps for receiving played balls;said control mechanism including the motor and a source of electricenergy, a bank oi. contacts, one of which is in circuit with the motor,a commutator in circuit with the source of energy, circuits connectingthe bank contacts and commutetor, trapped bails sewing to-.close certainof the contacts to build up a circuit without energizing the motor, andother balls serving to close the I circuits between the remaining bankcontacts and the ejector, said commutator serving to make and break thecircuits and thereby control operation of the ejector.

17. A check dispenser for games and the like comprising a magazine and aslidable ejector associated therewith, an electric motor, a wheelincluding an eccentric'pin driven from the motor, said slide ejectorhaving a slotted wall portion cooperablev with the eccentric pin toslide the ejector to and fro relative to the magazine to eject checkstherefrom, a control commutator drum including a ratchet, a pawl on theslide to turn the ratchet and drum, said drum governing the operation ofthe motor.

18, A check dispenser for pin ball games and the like, said dispensercomprising a magazine for the checks, a reciprocable slide associatedwith an end of the magazine to eject checks therefrom, an electric motorhaving connection with the slide to reciprocate the same, a rotary timerincluding a spring and ratchet, a pawl on the slide to engage theratchet and turn the timer one step for each stroke of the slide and tostore power in the spring, and means for disengaging the pawl from theratchet whereby the spring returns the timer to an initial startingposition, said timer being associated with circuits that cooperatewithball closed contacts to cause and stop operation of the motor.

19. A check dispenser for pin ball games and the like, said dispensercomprising a magazine for the checks, a reciprocable slide associatedwith an end of the magazine to eject checks therefrom, an electric motorhaving connection with the slide to reciprocate the same, a movabletimer including a spring and ratchet, a pawl on the slide to zine toeject checks therefrom, an electric motor operatively connected with theslide to reciprocate the same, a rotary timer including a spring andratchet wheel, a pawl associated with the slide to engage the ratchetand turn the timer one step for each stroke of the slide and to storepower in the spring, a back lash preventing dog associated with theslide and engaging the ratchet wheel adjacent said pawl, and coinreleased means for disengaging the dog and pawl from engagement with theratchet wheel whereby the spring acts to return the timer to an initialstarting position, said timer being associated with circuits and ballclosed contacts to cause and stop operation of the motor. I

21. A check dispenser for coin released pin ball games and the like,said dispenser comprising an upright magazine for the checks, areciprocable slide associated with the lower end of the magazine toeject checks therefrom, an electric motor operatively connected with theslide to reciprocate the same, a movable timer including a spring andratchet member, a pawl associated with the slide to engage the ratchetmember and the like, said dispenser comprising an upright magazine forthe checks, a reciprocable slide as? sociated with the lower endof themagazine to eject checks therefrom, an electric motor, an

eccentric driven thereby, said slide including a 'wall having .aconnection with the eccentric to reciprocate the slide, a rotary timerincluding a spring and ratchet wheel, a pawl associated with the slideto engage the ratchet wheel-and turn the timer one step for each strokeof the slide and to store power in the spring, and means for disengagingthe pawl from the ratchet wheel whereby the spring returns the timer toan initial starting position, said timer being associated with circuitsand contacts to cause and stop operation of the motor.

23. A check dispenser for pin ball games and the like, said dispensercomprising an upright magazine for the checks, a reciprocable slideassociated with the lower end of the magazine to eject checks therefrom,an electric motor, an eccentric pin driven thereby, said slide includinga wall having a slot to receive said pin whereby to reciprocate theslide, a timer including a spring and ratchet member, a pawl associatedwith the slide to engage the ratchet and move the timer one step foreach stroke of the slide and to store power in the spring, and means fordisengaging the pawl from the ratchet member whereby the spring returnsthe timer to an initial starting position, said timer being associatedwith circuits and contacts to cause and stop operation of themotor.

HERMAN L. SEIDEN.

HENRY W. SEIDEN. 20

